How to reset your AirPort base station

Resetting your AirPort base station restores it to a state that allows you to regain control of it when you lost the base station password or the base station isn't responding as expected. Depending on the base station model, you can perform one or more of these types of resets:

Soft reset: Resets the base station password and disables security (Access Control and RADIUS settings) for 5 minutes so that you can join the network to make changes. If you make no changes within 5 minutes, the base station reverts to its former settings. Perform this reset if you can't administer the base station because you forgot its password.

Hard reset: Resets the base station to an unconfigured state, but retains the last saved configuration and any profiles, allowing you to restore your base station from previous settings. Perform this reset when the base station is unresponsive, or you're troubleshooting network issues that aren't resolved by other means.

Factory-default reset: Like a hard reset, but removes any saved configurations and profiles. Perform this reset if you're selling or giving away your base station. (This does not erase data stored on the built-in hard drive of a Time Capsule, or on any external hard drive connected to the base station.)

When performing a hard reset or factory-default reset:

The base station is set to request an IP address by DHCP.

The base station password is set to "public."

The base station name is set to "base station," followed by the last six digits of the base station's MAC (Media Access Control) address.

The base station network name is set to "Apple Network," followed by the last six digits of the base station's MAC address.

The base station won't be visible in the Wi-Fi status menu or AirPort Utility for up to a minute. You may then use the device in its default state or reconfigure it using AirPort Utility.

Locate the reset button on the base station, next to the ports. When instructed to do so, press this button with a pen or straightened paperclip. If you're using an AirPort Graphite or AirPort Snow (Dual Ethernet) base station, connect your computer directly to the base station using an Ethernet cable.

Soft reset (Mac OS X v10.6 or earlier)

Make sure that the base station is connected to power.

Hold down the reset button for 1 second. The middle LED will blink once every second while the device is in soft reset mode. The base station password is set to "public" and the IP address is reset.

You can connect to the reset base station using the following manual network settings on your computer:

IP Address 192.42.249.15

Subnet 255.255.255.0

Router 192.42.249.13

From Wi-Fi status menu , choose the network created by the base station.

IP address: Unless you've been given an IP address by your Internet service provider or system administrator, do not change the IP address.

Reset the base station password.

Turn encryption on to activate password protection for your network. If you turn on encryption, enter a new password for your network.

Make changes to passwords or any other settings you require, then click Update. The base station will use the new settings after it has restarted.

Factory-default reset (Mac OS X v10.5 or earlier)

Configure your computer's TCP settings to connect using Ethernet to:

IP Address 192.42.249.15

Subnet 255.255.255.0

Router 192.42.249.13

Disconnect the base station from power, then connect it again.

When all three status lights turn on, hold down the reset button for 30 seconds, until the middle AirPort base station status light turns on. If you're using a Graphite base station and the middle light is green, you pressed the reset button too late. Disconnect power and try again.